Interesting new kickoff tactic- the "knucklekick"

[Big Turk]

Apparently we have seen the first way teams are now trying to get a real advantage by kicking the ball into the landing zone...

 

Rams kicker has perfected what is similar to a knuckleball in baseball, where it has no spin and dips and swerves wildly, except with a football and it's oblong shape, the movement is more pronounced.

 

This "knucklekick", effectively is designed to either cause the ball to dip and hit the ground in the landing zone before getting to a returner  and then bounce strangely which forces a scramble to try and pick up the ball before actually returning it, or causes the returners to bobble and drop the ball frequently when it takes last second dips on them...

 

Something to really look for around the league now as the Rams seem to be leading the charge with this and it's been highly effective...they have 6 kickoffs already where they have tackled the returner inside the 20 as a direct result of this tactic.

 

 

 

 

Edited 1 hour ago by Big Turk

[H2o]

There was always going to be some kind of adjustment. Handing the ball to teams at the 35 yard line makes that happen. I hope Prater/Bass/whoever start working on this here. 

[NewEra]

Average start on kickoffs the last 2 seasons: 29.5 yard line.  Too many starts at the 40+ to my eye.  One pass from fg range with today’s kickers. Not a fan.  Drive should average between the 20-25 imo.